The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-26
A FREE-TRADE MESSAGE.

We have already printed several of the COM
ments of the English papers upon the Presi-
dents message, and drawn attention to the
fact that our esteemed contemporaries over
the water had no difficulty in translating its
sentiments into those of free trade. despite the
carefully worded phrases which were in
tended to deceive and entrap the unwary. A
few more are at hand that indicate the entire
unanimity of the English press in this under
standing and appreciation of Mr.. Cleveland's
great boomerang. The London Times OBJ
serves that ''the objects defined by the Presis
dent can only be secured through the removal
or the great dinlinutiop of the present duties"
and estimates that about two-ffths of the en-
tire customs revenue must be surrendered,
which, it adds, will to a great extent make
trade free. The Times says, further:
LAS was to be expected, the protectionists
have taken the alarm, and, as our correspond
ent at Philadelphia informs us, they are
organizing for a determined resistance. They
are, no doubt, right in believing that, what
ever may be said of preserving the essence of
the protective system and of ignoring free
trade, the tariff cannot be reduced to the
strict proportions of revenue corresponding
to the limit and diminishing necessities of the
federal government without admitting great
flood OF foreign competition"
The London Post declares the message dis
tinct pronouncement in favor of free trade,
thinks that its effect will be to strengthen
considerably the cause of free traders in all
of the parts world, and concludes that it will
be regarded a step in the right direction.
to T
blindfolded, says Mr. Cleveland's declaration
that the interests Of American labor and
manufacturers should be carefully considered.
is only a soothing parenthesis and polite
nothlngness which may well be pardoned
OF the message as whole, the Standard says:
Mr.. Cleveland demands in effect, that there
shall be tariff for revenue purposes only.
No tinkering with the tariff will suffice; no
readjustment of duties will do. The only re-
form that common sense can accept is
which unaffectedly substitutes the principle
OF unimpeded imports for that of tariff regu-
lations."
The London News interprets the message
proving the failure, the complete and
ludicrous failure of the American protective
SYSTEM" and predicts that the stone now set
rolling will not stop until it has broken the
idol Of protection to pieces.
The London Globe regards the message
"redolent of Cobdenism in a slightly modified
FORM" but it fears that American working
men are too much prejudiced in favor of pro-
lection to give due weight to Mr.. Cleveland's
and admits that it is against the
free traders that the economic circumstances
Of the American working classes are now
prosperous" Nevertheless, it
gives Mr.. Cleveland credit for his courage and
candor As the journal has already published. |
Punch came out with full page cartoon rep |
President Cleveland presenting free |
trade to Columbia, with the commentator,
Its so English, you know"
These comments of the English press,
unanimous and full of complacent hopeful
hess, tell their own story. Mr.. Clevelands
meant free trade and free trade
means good to England, and good to England
loes not mean good to the working men of the
United States.